American YouTuber and global livestream star Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, has been granted Ghanaian citizenship following his month-long tour across Africa.
The development was announced on Wednesday by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who disclosed that the 21-year-old influencer had been issued a Ghanaian passport after official confirmation of what he described as IShowSpeed’s “irrefutable ties” to the country.
According to Ablakwa, the decision aligns with Ghana’s Beyond the Return initiative—a government programme aimed at strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and encouraging people of African descent to establish formal ties with the country.
The minister explained that the approval followed engagements that highlighted the streamer’s growing connection to Ghana and the African continent, driven largely by his cultural immersion and public content during his visit.
“Following our discussions and subsequent confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, I am pleased to inform you and our compatriots that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to IShowSpeed,” Ablakwa said in a statement.
He also praised the YouTuber for projecting Ghana and Africa positively to a global audience, describing him as a suitable cultural ambassador for the continent.
IShowSpeed recently concluded his Africa Tour, which began on December 29, 2025, and covered 20 African countries. Throughout the tour, he used his livestreams to showcase African culture, tourism, technology and everyday life to his more than 50 million YouTube subscribers.
Observers say the tour contributed to ongoing efforts to challenge negative stereotypes and reshape global perceptions of Africa through authentic, youth-driven storytelling.